Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ event in Pune gets nod with 30 conditions; CM Fadnavis reacts
NEW DELHI: Police have granted permission for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s August 22 ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ event in Pune, subject to 30 conditions, including a ban on “objectionable” banners and images. The police have also directed organisers to ensure that religious sentiments are not hurt during the event. The event, billed as the ‘voice of students’, is dedicated to female students and will focus on education, safety, equality, competitive exams and career opportunities. According to the permission order issued on Wednesday, the programme will be held from 4.30 pm to 9.30 pm at the SSPMS College ground near RTO Chowk. Police expect 8,000 to 10,000 people to attend. Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, reacting to the campaign, said the event appeared to be a “monologue” rather than a dialogue with students. The CM told PTI, “Whether it is ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ programme or Rahul Gandhi is trying to find his political ground, I cannot say. But from what I understand, if they had held an open event of this kind, perhaps it would have been a dialogue with students.” Fadnavis alleged that entry to the event would be restricted to registered girls from Congress-affiliated educational institutions. “An attempt is being made to ensure that only people who subscribe to their ideology attend the event,” he said, adding, “Therefore, we may call it ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’, but at the same time, I would say that, with those who have been invited through Congress, this is more of a monologue than a dialogue.” Meanwhile, among the conditions, organisers have been told not to display “objectionable images, pictures or banners”. They will also be responsible for any untoward incident that results in a law-and-order situation, the order said. “No one’s religious sentiments should be hurt during the programme and responsibility for ensuring this will be on the organisers,” it stated, according to news agency PTI. Maharashtra congress vice president Mohan Joshi confirmed that permission had been granted and said the organisers would comply with all 30 conditions. Police have also directed organisers to provide adequate security, separate arrangements for men and women, sufficient entry and exit gates, drinking water, toilets, fire-safety equipment and parking facilities. Private security personnel, including women guards, and volunteers, particularly women, are to be deployed. CCTV cameras covering the venue must remain operational during the day and night. The organisers have also been directed to comply with Supreme Court directions on permissible noise levels, as well as the Noise Pollution (Regulation and Control) Rules, 2000 and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Drones have been prohibited for photography at the venue, while emergency access for police, medical and fire services must remain available. The permission is subject to a no-objection certificate from the traffic department and can be cancelled if any illegal activity affecting law and order is detected, police said. Any dispute over the venue will also lead to immediate cancellation of the permission. The restrictions come as Pune police have imposed 14-day prohibitory orders across the city from Tuesday until August 31, citing security concerns linked to upcoming festivals and protests. Congress leader Pawan Khera has alleged that the restrictions were imposed to disrupt Gandhi’s programme. Police, however, have cited security requirements. Gandhi launched the student-focused campaign in Kota on June 17 and later addressed its second and third segments in Dehradun and Prayagraj on July 17 and August 8. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Top cop in Bihar’s Siwan removed amid row over use of AK-47 during student protest
SP Puran Kumar Jha, under whose command an AK-47 rifle was allegedly used during a student protest in Siwan on July 25, has been placed on the waiting list for a new posting. The Bihar government on Tuesday transferred the Superintendents of Police (SPs) of Siwan and Bhojpur districts, where police action against student protesters had triggered controversies. While Siwan SP Puran Kumar Jha has been kept at police headquarters waiting for posting, Bhojpur SP Raj has been posted as SP of neighbouring Rohtas district. Jha courted controversy after police allegedly opened fire with an AK-47 during a students’ protest in Siwan on July 25, while Raj faced sharp criticism following the alleged killing of 28-year-old Bharat Bhushan Tiwari in a fake encounter. The Siwan SP’s removal from the post came hours after the state government told the Supreme Court that constable Abhishek Kumar, who allegedly opened fire with an AK-47, has already been put under suspension. The state government told the apex court that the constable fired four rounds from his AK-47 only after he felt trapped and surrounded by protestors, and the shots were fired in the air. The state maintained that nobody was injured in the police firing. Bihar government’s response was filed before the Supreme Court in proceedings arising from petitions alleging police excesses during protests over exam paper leak. The protests were held at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi by supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party-led movement. Meanwhile, Raj, who was posted as SP of Bhojpur, has been transferred to Rohtas in the same capacity. Raj faced public backlash over the alleged killing of Bharat Bhushan Tiwari in a fake police encounter. Tiwari was shot five times even after he had surrendered before police. Jha and Raj are among 18 IPS officers transferred by the Samrat Choudhary government. According to a notification issued by the state home department, Hridaya Kant has been made SP of Nalanda, the home district of former chief minister Nitish Kumar. Similarly, Vinit Kumar, Saran SP, will be replaced by Roushan Kumar, who was the SP of Rohtas. Roushan has been made SSP of Saran district, while Vinit has been posted as SP, Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS). Bharat Soni has been made the new SP of Siwan. Awadhesh Dixit will take charge as SP of Bhojpur. Manish Kumar, SP, Special Branch, has been shifted to Special Vigilance Unit (SVU) in the same capacity. Senior officials, however, claimed that it was a routine transfer to improve law and order situation in the state. Ramashankar Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Right way’: Rahul Gandhi lauds ‘understanding’ between Jharkhand govt, protesting students
Rahul Gandhi also vowed to change the system across the country to establish a framework that propels students forward rather than holds them back. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday praised the “understanding” reached between protesting students and the Jharkhand government, calling it the “right way” as Chief Minister Hemant Soren chose dialogue while the students exercised restraint and got their demands accepted. Gandhi also vowed to change the system across the country to establish a framework that propels students forward rather than holds them back. “An understanding has been reached between the students of Jharkhand and the state government, and the students have ended their hunger strike – it was heartening to hear this news,” Gandhi said in a post in Hindi on X. “Chief Minister Hemant Soren ji and the Jharkhand government chose the path of dialogue and arrived at a solution. The students exercised restraint and made their demands accepted,” the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said. This is the right way – when students raise questions, they should get answers, he said. “We stand with every student in the country. And we will uproot and transform this recovery system, so that every student gets the full reward of their hard work and the right to fair competition,” Gandhi said. This system will change across the country, and a framework will be established that propels students forward, rather than holding them back, the former Congress chief said. Gandhi had written to Soren, urging him to personally meet representatives of the protesting students and take appropriate action to resolve the issue. He had said the students’ protest was peaceful and their demands legitimate, while asserting that the youth of India was its future and that “we owe them our solidarity and support at this moment of crisis”. The Congress is part of the ruling JMM-led government in Jharkhand. Students protesting against alleged irregularities in Jharkhand recruitment examinations may take a call on withdrawing their demonstration on Tuesday after the state government cancelled all recruitment tests, including the JSSC-CGL exam, conducted by an outsourced agency since 2014. The announcement came after Soren chaired a marathon Cabinet meeting at the state secretariat on Monday. He also said an exam reforms committee headed by senior IAS officer Amitabh Kaushal would recommend measures to strengthen the recruitment examination process. “The government has decided to cancel the Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission-Combined Graduate Level (JSSC-CGL) exam, which was one of the major demands of the protesting students. We have also decided to cancel all tests conducted by outsourced agency TSR Data Processing Pvt Ltd (TDPL) and the results published by it,” Soren had told reporters after the meeting. Student leader Devendra Mahto, who had been on hunger strike for 16 days over the alleged exam irregularities, ended his fast around midnight on Monday. Two protesters, Prem Nayak and Umme Habiba, also called off their hunger strike, while three others – Rahul Kranti, Sabita Kumari and Rupesh Pal – continued their fast. Students were seen celebrating and waving the Tricolour after the announcement. Activist Sonam Wangchuk congratulated Mahto over a video call, describing the government’s decision as a “victory for everyone”. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Sang same ‘Vande Mataram’ as national leaders: Kharge hits back at BJP over ‘incomplete’ charge
Kharge said if singing the version he did was a crime, cases should also be filed against the leaders who had sung it the same way. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday responded to the BJP’s criticism over his rendition of an “incomplete” ‘Vande Mataram’, saying he sang the version followed by national leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Talking to reporters in South Goa, Kharge said if singing the version he did was a crime, cases should also be filed against the leaders who had sung it the same way. The ruling BJP has alleged that the Congress chief sang an “incomplete” version of the national song during his public meeting in South Goa on Monday, and accused the grand old party of disrespecting the national song. Speaking over the controversy, Kharge said, “I sang the ‘Vande Mataram’ which Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru sang…the same song which Vallabhbhai Patel and Atal Bihari Vajpayee sang. If that is the crime, then file a case against Gandhiji, Nehru and Vallabhbhai Patel.” Kharge said the BJP was unaware of the historical decisions taken by the Congress on the national song and the national anthem. “They don’t know that before they were born, the Congress had passed the resolution to decide about the national song and the national anthem,” he said. The Congress president said he had followed the version of ‘Vande Mataram’ that had been sung for decades. “I did what has been happening for the last 80 years,” Kharge said. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Sonia Gandhi memoir ‘Belonging’ to chronicle love, loss and six decades in public life to be out on November 10
The memoir traces her journey from post-war Italy to the centre of Indian politics and the Nehru-Gandhi family. NEW DELHI: Congress leader Sonia Gandhi’s long-awaited memoir, Belonging: A Journey of Love, will be published on November 10, publisher Alfred A. Knopf announced on Tuesday, offering a candid account of her journey from post-war Italy to the heart of Indian politics. At 19, while studying in Cambridge, England, Sonia met Rajiv Gandhi in 1965. Her life subsequently unfolded within the Nehru-Gandhi family, first largely away from politics and later at its centre. The memoir traces her transition from a private family life to public duty, shaped, she says, by grief and loss. “It was heartbreak and loss that threw me into the public world of politics. Up till then I had guarded my privacy fiercely,” Gandhi said in a statement issued through Knopf. The narrative is set against some of the most turbulent chapters in India’s post-Independence history. It recounts the death of Rajiv’s younger brother Sanjay Gandhi in a 1980 plane crash, Indira Gandhi’s assassination by her bodyguards in 1984 and Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination by an LTTE suicide bomber during an election campaign in Tamil Nadu in 1991. According to the publisher, the memoir also offers a portrait of Sonia Gandhi’s early years in India, learning Hindi, adapting to Indian customs and cuisine, and raising her children with Rajiv while living in the Prime Minister’s residence in New Delhi. Sonia Gandhi says the book seeks to move beyond the political mythology surrounding one of India’s most powerful families. “Much has been written about my family, but few narratives were able to reach into the truth of their motivations, their actions and even their very human failings,” she said. “In many ways, this book is a homage to their humanness.” Her own political career, which she initially resisted, eventually made her the longest-serving president of the Congress. The decisive chapter came after the 2004 general election, when Congress emerged as the largest party and formed the United Progressive Alliance. Gandhi led the alliance but declined the prime minister’s post, with Manmohan Singh becoming prime minister. The UPA subsequently governed India for a decade. Gandhi said writing the memoir required confronting experiences she had long kept private. “Writing about my life did not come easily to me. It meant opening myself up, sharing moments and experiences I had always held deep inside,” she said. The memoir, she added, ultimately revealed a connecting thread of “love and loyalty” running from her childhood in Italy to her decades in India. “My story also offers readers a unique perspective of the social and political changes I have witnessed for six decades in the beautiful country of my belonging,” Sonia Gandhi said. Courtesy : TNIE Note: This news is originally published on https:/thenewindianexpress.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
‘Please save Telangana’: BRS leader Dasoju Shravan urges Rahul Gandhi to act over CM’s remarks against KCR
HYDERABAD: Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader Dasoju Shravan Kumar on Monday appealed to LoP and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and AICC Telangana in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan to intervene in the state’s political situation, accusing chief minister A Revanth Reddy of using an “abusive political discourse”. Dasoju Shravan said people in Telangana had trusted the Congress and voted it to power based on Rahul Gandhi’s appeals, election declarations and promises. He alleged that the current government had failed to live up to those expectations. “On behalf of the people of Telangana, I make an honest appeal to the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, and AICC Telangana in-charge, Meenakshi Natarajan: please save Telangana. The people of Telangana trusted Rahul Gandhi, the several declarations, and the promises made by the Congress Party, voting them into power. In return, what kind of Chief Minister have you given us? A man who relies on aggressive language, brazen loot, and abusive political discourse; just a day after Independence Day, he had the audacity to utter ugly abuses against the Leader of the Opposition in the Telangana Legislative Assembly, K Chandrashekar Rao,” he said. Dasoju Shravan’s remarks came after Reddy on Monday criticised former chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao, saying he was staying at his farmhouse like Dhritarashtra and ignoring his son’s actions. Reddy also accused BRS leaders of using party workers for their own benefit after losing power. “During the BRS rule, the KCR family benefited, while common people were given importance in the Praja Palana (People’s governance),” he alleged. The chief minister said the Telangana Assembly session would be held in September and urged Congress workers and MLAs to work towards securing a two-thirds majority in the 2029 elections. Reddy said he would continue working for the people and address their concerns. He also said that even “1,000 KCRs” could not harm him as long as he had the support and blessings of the people. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Jharkhand government accepts students’ demands, cancels JSSC-CGL and all exams conducted by TDPL
Jharkhand CM orders probe into recruitment exam irregularities since 2014, announces panel for exam reforms Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Monday announced the cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination and all activities associated with TSR Data Processing Private Limited (TDPL), including examinations conducted by the company, published results and selections, amid a 24-day-long student protest over alleged irregularities in recruitment exams. The government had earlier announced the cancellation of the 14th JPSC examination and two backlog examinations. Addressing the media at Jaipal Singh Stadium, Soren said the state Cabinet had decided to cancel the JSSC-CGL examination, a key demand of the protesting students. “We have decided to cancel everything associated with TDPL—including the examinations conducted, the results published, the candidates selected or who participated, and all other activities carried out by TDPL,” Soren said. The Chief Minister also ordered a comprehensive inquiry into irregularities in all recruitment examinations conducted from 2014 to the present. “A comprehensive inquiry will be conducted into all errors—minor or major—that have occurred since 2014. We will also soon convene to discuss the amendments made to the MMDR Act by the Central Government; if necessary, we may even call a special session to deliberate on this specific issue,” he said. Soren said investigations by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) had brought to light “several shocking facts”. “Since the investigation is ongoing, it is not possible to disclose every detail openly; however, it has been observed that individuals appointed through the CGL process are now being arrested on charges related to irregularities in the JPSC examinations. Furthermore, there appears to be a complex, interconnected network involving various companies that have operated here at different times,” he said. He said the government had directed the concerned department and the CID to conduct a thorough investigation covering examinations held from 2014 onwards. Student leader Devendra Nath Mahato welcomed the government’s decision and thanked Soren, the state administration, police, media, students and parents for supporting the movement. Mahato said the students would cooperate with the ongoing investigation and efforts to clean up the recruitment examination system, but stressed that they wanted structural reforms to prevent paper leaks and other irregularities in the future. “We, the students, will continue to support this investigation and the effort to eradicate this corrupt system at its very roots, and we will persist in our struggle regarding the ongoing reform process,” Mahato said. However, the protesting students said not all their demands had been fulfilled, with their demand for a CBI inquiry into the alleged examination irregularities still unresolved. They also said no decision had been taken on the 11th to 13th JPSC examinations. He said the students were awaiting an official notification before deciding their next course of action. “If our issues are resolved and our demands met, why would we need to hold further protests?” he said, while seeking a system that would guarantee against paper leaks and examination irregularities in the future. Mahato said the students were not yet “fully satisfied” despite the government accepting their demands, as they wanted broader reforms across the examination system. “While our demands have been met, we cannot say we are fully satisfied yet, as a long battle still lies ahead,” he said. JPSC-JSSC Reform Manch leader Piyush Kumar Singh said the agitation would continue until the remaining demands were addressed. “No decision has been taken on 11th to 13th JPSC and our demand for CBI inquiry still remains unfulfilled, therefore, our agitation will continue till it is not fulfilled,” Singh said. Meanwhile, the cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination has also left candidates who were selected through the process facing uncertainty. Some successful candidates said they would challenge the government’s decision in court. A successful candidate said the appointments had been made following a High Court division bench ruling and that the Supreme Court had also upheld the process. “We were appointed following a High Court division bench ruling. We had the Supreme Court’s seal of approval, yet suddenly, we became unemployed. We are upset with the Chief Minister. Sir, please reconsider this decision. What about the honourable court’s stance? What will happen to the hundreds of our brothers who resigned from previous jobs to join this one?” the candidate said. The candidates said they would approach the court again, pointing out that they had secured their appointments following judicial intervention. Chief Minister Soren said the government would ensure transparency in examination-related reforms and address concerns raised by students. “I do not consider these young people to be different groups. They are all concerned about their future. The government will move ahead with complete transparency on reforms,” he said. The Chief Minister said an existing standard operating procedure (SOP) for conducting examinations should have prevented the irregularities had it been properly followed. He added that further improvements would be made based on suggestions received from stakeholders. The government has also decided to constitute a committee headed by senior IAS officer Amitabh Kaushal to frame rules and procedures for conducting recruitment examinations in a manner that prevents irregularities. A portal has also been opened for students, teachers and parents to submit suggestions on examination reforms, which will subsequently be shared with experts, Soren said. The student agitation in Ranchi, centered on alleged irregularities in examinations conducted by the Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) and Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission (JSSC), entered its 24th day on Monday. The protesters have been demanding reforms in the examination system, action against those responsible for alleged irregularities and measures to prevent paper leaks and malpractice in future recruitment examinations. With the government now accepting the demand for cancellation of the JSSC-CGL examination and announcing a wider probe into examinations since 2014, the students are expected to decide their next course of action after reviewing the government’s formal orders. However, the demand for a CBI inquiry and a decision on the 11th to 13th JPSC examinations remain unresolved, raising the possibility that the agitation could continue.
Rahul Gandhi defamation case: Savarkar’s grandson admits Nathuram, Gopal Godse were active RSS members
Pune: In a significant development in the defamation case involving Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, filed by Savarkar’s grandson Satyaki Savarkar, the complainant on Monday admitted that Nathuram Godse and his brother Gopal Godse were “active members” of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The admission came during further cross-examination of Satyaki Savarkar by Gandhi’s counsel Milind D Pawar, appearing for Rahul Gandhi, before judicial magistrate first class (JMFC) Amol Shriram Shinde. The deposition records Satyaki as stating: “It is true to say that, my grandfathers Gopal Godse and Nathuram Godse were active members of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.” The cross-examination also brought out the family links between the Savarkars and Godses. Satyaki said Gopal Godse was his maternal grandfather and Sindhu Godse his maternal grandmother, while his mother was Himani Savarkar. He also confirmed that Gopal and Nathuram Godse were real brothers and described Nathuram as his grand-uncle. He further agreed that the Savarkar and Godse families were related. The witness also admitted that his mother and Gopal Godse worked for the Hindu Mahasabha until their deaths. The cross-examination also dealt with the 1948 assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. Satyaki agreed that Gandhi was assassinated at Birla House in Delhi on Jan 30, 1948, and that Gopal Godse and Vinayak Damodar Savarkar were accused in the case. The defence also questioned Satyaki about an alleged interview given by Gopal Godse to a monthly magazine on Jan 28, 1994. Satyaki said he did not know about the interview. He similarly said he did not know whether Nathuram Godse had worked as an “intellectual executive” in 1944. The complainant’s lawyer, Sangram Kolhatkar, objected to some of the questions concerning the RSS and Digambar Badge, arguing that they were not related to the case. The court recorded that the objections would be decided at the time of the final decision. The cross-examination remained incomplete and was deferred to Sept 1. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
Supreme Court bars CBI, ED from filing report on Rahul Gandhi’s assets
NEW DELHI: Supreme Court Monday barred CBI, ED or any agency from filing any report on any probe into the alleged disproportionate assets of leader of opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi before Allahabad HC, which had directed the two central agencies to probe allegations in a PIL on his alleged illegal wealth. Arguing for Rahul and challenging the July 20 order of HC’s Lucknow bench, senior advocate Kapil Sibal told a bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana that the HC had adopted a process which is “completely unknown to law” in passing the impugned order If claim is so serious, why did agencies need HC prod: SC Kapil Sibal said HC did not even seek Rahul Gandhi’s response and permitted a witch-hunt without questioning the locus standi of the petitioner, Vignesh Shishir, an RSS/BJP worker. Appearing for CBI, additional solicitor general S V Raju said, “CBI has done nothing yet. We are only verifying the complaint. We have not registered even a preliminary enquiry. The allegations are very serious. We are inquiring into it.” Sibal said, “CBI can do what it likes. We are not concerned with it.” Justice Bagchi said, “You (CBI) did not do it on your own. Suo motu action we would have understood. Why did you need the prodding of high court to investigate? If it is so serious, why did the agencies keep quiet and need impetus from HC?” The bench issued notices to Shishir, CBI, ED, UP Police, Union ministry of home affairs, CBDT and Serious Fraud Investigation Office and said, “Meanwhile, no report shall be submitted by CBI or ED or any other authority to the HC pursuant to its July 20 order.” Sibal sought a stay on proceedings before HC, leading the bench to request HC to defer the scheduled Aug 20 hearing till further orders. Appearing in person, Shishir spoke in favour of HC’s procedure, and said the matter was still in the preliminary enquiry stage where the accused cannot have a say. Raju said, “As far as the allegations are concerned, if they make out a cognisable offence, it stands on a different footing. We are yet to lodge an FIR. What action is to be taken has not yet been considered.” CJI Kant said, “On our understanding of the law, police or any probe agency, if they have prima facie material, they can register a case, investigate it, and can proceed against anyone. No permission is required from the accused. But what appears to us, subject to assistance from both sides, is that if the court wants to issue a direction, it is expected to follow principles of natural justice.” Raju said it was not required in a criminal case. Sibal interjected and said, “The enthusiasm of the agencies is clear.” Raju retorted, “Facts may be wrong or right. But if they are right, it is a gross case of disproportionate assets.” Sibal said these were sealed cover, in-chamber proceedings and asked how they got reported in newspapers. In his plea, Rahul said, “Since 2024, Shishir, who it appears from public reporting is a member of BJP — a party whose politics and ideology the petitioner (Rahul) and his party (Congress) vehemently contests — has instituted multiple proceedings before different forums, including successive PILs on petitioner’s alleged foreign citizenship, criminal proceedings seeking registration of an FIR…” Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights
BJP lodges complaint against Sonia Gandhi as Vande Mataram row intensifies
NEW DELHI: BJP leaders on Sunday lodged a formal complaint against Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi at the Urwa Police Station in Karnataka. The move escalated a political row over the recitation of Vande Mataram at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi on Independence Day. The controversy followed visuals from the August 15 event showing senior Congress leaders speaking among themselves while the National Song was being recited. BJP leaders alleged that the conduct amounted to disrespect towards the national song, while the Congress rejected the charge and said there was no attempt to stop the rendition. BJP MP Manoj Tiwari accused the Congress leadership of showing discomfort towards the National Song and targeted Sonia Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. “Yesterday, the Congress revealed its true face to the country and the world. They harbour such hatred for ‘Vande Mataram’… You saw how uncomfortable Sonia Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge became yesterday the moment the full version of ‘Vande Mataram’ was played… When they saw it had been recorded on camera, they tried to give explanations,” Tiwari told news agency ANI. The controversy also drew a sharp attack from Union home minister Amit Shah, who raised the issue at a rally in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan. Shah alleged that Sonia had asked party workers to stop the rendition. “Look at their (Congress’s) shamelessness. The anthem Vande Mataram was being sung at the Congress Party headquarters. During the anthem, Congress leader Sonia Gandhi told the Congress President to stop singing. We all just kept watching on TV,” Shah said. He directly addressed Sonia, saying, “Sonia ji, 140 crore people are watching you. This sin you have committed will never be forgiven by the people of this country.” Shah after he alleged that veteran leader Sonia Gandhi committed a sin by stopping national song Vande Mataram midway at the party headquarters on Independence Day. Meanwhile, Congress targeted Shah and said that the home minister was demanding an apology from Sonia Gandhi to divert attention from real issues and the government’s massive failures. Without naming Shah, Jairam Ramesh said, “A man who insulted Dr. Ambedkar in the Rajya Sabha on December 17, 2024. A man who comes from that ideology which, until January 2002, did not even deem it appropriate to hoist the tricolour at its headquarters. A man who is directly responsible for the brutality of the Delhi Police against youths protesting peacefully.” “Now the same man is demanding an apology from the Congress to divert attention from today’s real issues and the massive failures of himself and his master,” he added. Congress has maintained that the allegations are baseless. The party said there was no attempt to stop the full version of Vande Mataram and that Sonia Gandhi was only trying to ensure proper arrangements at the event, including asking for a chair for Kharge, who had been standing. Courtesy : TOI Note: This news is originally published on https:/timesofindia.com/bha and is used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes, especially human rights